August 8, 2025
The U.S. Contract Tower Association yesterday sent a letter to key House lawmakers urging them to take steps to improve controller staffing at contract towers, upgrade aging towers, and provide controllers with better equipment to enhance aviation safety. The move comes as Congress and the Administration are continuing to focus on modernizing the air traffic control system.
In early July Congress narrowly passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – a massive budget reconciliation package that extended the 2017 tax cuts and provided $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization. Since then, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called for another $19 billion for ATC upgrades.
It is unclear if Congress will provide another large influx of funds for ATC modernization. However, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is asking stakeholders to “submit legislative policy priorities and proposals to improve the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.”
USCTA Recommendations
Expand Controller Staffing: In a letter to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member Rick Larsen (R-WA), and Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX), USCTA outlined several proposals including recommendations to enhance controller staffing at contract towers. Securing additional controllers and limiting staffing disruptions continues to be a top priority for airports that participate in the FAA Contract Tower Program.
The association is calling on the Departments of Transportation and Labor to expedite their review of the outdated wage determination for contract tower controllers and managers. Higher wages could help service providers retain and attract new controllers. USCTA is also recommending that the FAA work with contractors to expand their controller training programs to a broader pool of qualified candidates.
Invest in Contract Tower Infrastructure: USCTA is continuing to urge Congress and the Administration to provide $1.4 billion to help airports repair, replace, and relocate old contract towers. Of that amount, $800 million would be reserved for sponsor-owned towers and $600 million for FAA-owned towers. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $300 million for contract tower upgrades. However, the final reconciliation package excluded funding for tower upgrades as the House had recommended.
Provide Controllers with Better Equipment: Contract tower airports have been pressing Congress and the Administration to provide controllers with better equipment. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 included USCTA-backed provisions to advance that effort. The latest USCTA letter calls on the FAA to expedite the approval of situational awareness equipment in contract towers and to provide $500 million to help airports procure this critical technology.
Industry Letter
Yesterday, a large coalition of stakeholders including AAAE and USCTA sent a broader letter to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with industry recommendations to modernize the ATC system.
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